We are now beginning to transition VCSQI TCPI practices to the Vizient Practice Transformation Network (PTN). We hope you will continue with Vizient to complete all 5 phases of transformation and to be recognized by CMS at the end of the TCPI (September 2019) for your practice’s Transitioning to the Vizient PTN is a continuation of your TCPI work; you are not starting over. Even if you have completed all 5 phases working with VCSQI, we encourage you to transition to Vizient for continued TCPI updates, as well as support related to the Quality Payment Program (MIPS and APMs).

Several time options remain for listening to the webinar that will acquaint you with Vizient and the work Vizient does both as a company and as a Practice Transformation Network. The proposed delivery model will be presented, your questions and feed-back will help to finalize development of this model.

The Quality Payment Program Resource Library is Back on QPP.CMS.GOV

Visit the Quality Payment Program Website to Find Available Resources

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has moved Quality Payment Program (QPP) resources from CMS.gov to the newly redesigned Quality Payment Program Resource Library on qpp.cms.gov. Following feedback from clinicians and others in the health care community, we wanted to make Quality Payment Program information and resources available in one place. We’ve also made it easier for you to find the resources you’re looking for by including a search function that allows you to search for resources by year, reporting track, performance category, and by document type (e.g., fact sheet, user guide, measure specifications).

The 2018 performance year for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) ends on December 31, 2018. To access the Quality Payment Program Portal and submit your 2018 performance data, you’ll need your EIDM User ID and Password. If you do not have an EIDM account, navigate to the CMS Enterprise Portal and select ‘New User Registration’ to create one. The following information is required for registration:

CMS has updated the Quality Payment Program website so individual eligible clinicians who choose to submit their Quality performance category data via claims can access performance feedback for the 2018 performance year on an ongoing basis. If you are participating in MIPS as an individual clinician and you have chosen to use claims to submit Quality performance category data, you attach quality data codes (G-codes) to your claims throughout the 2018 performance year. Those who have been doing so can now login to the Quality Payment Program website and review their performance feedback, which will be updated on a monthly basis.

Submitting Quality Performance Data via Claims

When you submit your quality data to CMS through your claims, they’ll be processed to final action by the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). The last day for submitting 2018 claims with quality data codes for the 2018 performance period is determined by your MAC, but data must be submitted on claims with dates of service during the performance period and must be processed no later than 60 days after the close of the performance period. Please check with your MAC for this guidance.

As a reminder: claims-based quality measures are calculated automatically by CMS based on the quality data codes submitted on your 2018 claims. Claims data submission is only an option for Year 2 (2018) if you’re participating in MIPS as an individual (not as part of a group).

New QPP CME Modules, Infographics, and Scoring Guide Now Available

CMS has posted three new continuing medical education (CME) modules on the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance categories and MIPS Alternative Payment Models (APMs). You can access them by logging into your Medicare Learning Network account or creating one here. The new CME modules include:

2018 MIPS Scoring 101 Guide: Provides a detailed overview of how each MIPS performance category is scored, how CMS calculates bonus points, and how the payment adjustment is calculated based on the MIPS final score.

Requests for Small Practice Hardship Exclusion from Promoting Interoperability Category

Small practices can request a hardship exclusion from the Promoting Interoperability category. Request is due by end of year but you should apply sooner to be safe! Your percent for the Promoting Interoperability Category gets moved to the Quality Category. Here is the link to learn more and apply: https://qpp.cms.gov/about/small-underserved-rural-practices

Final Policy, Payment, and Quality Provisions Changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2019

On November 1, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that includes updates to payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after January 1, 2019.

The calendar year (CY) 2019 PFS final rule is one of several final rules that reflect a broader Administration-wide strategy to create a healthcare system that results in better accessibility, quality, affordability, empowerment, and innovation.